On the Town: Concert raises funds for program that provides music education in schools
The outside temperature may have been uncomfortable and hot, but inside the First Presbyterian Church of Burbank, the music was soothing and cool during Summer Soireé 2017, which showcased young musicians from Burbank in a benefit concert Monday evening.
Organized by local high school students who worked in concert (literally) with a local organization called Education Through Music-Los Angeles, the performance was staged to benefit music education programs in disadvantaged area schools.
Now in its third year, the evening included a blend of classical, jazz and show tunes as the audience was treated to spotlight performances by Colburn School of the Performing Arts students Maya Paredes, Eyén Paredes, Javier Martinez and Nicholas Castaño, as well as students from the Education Through Music-Los Angeles programs at Providencia and McKinley elementary schools and a jazz combo featuring students from the New School, University of Southern California and California Institute of the Arts.
This event was the brainchild of Paredes sisters.
“I wanted to share my love of music with the community of Burbank,” said Maya, who attends John Burroughs High School. “I have seen firsthand the work Education Through Music does in our local schools and wanted to encourage people to donate and help support music education in public schools.”
Among the other featured musicians in the concert were a jazz trio featuring bassist Josh Turner, drummer Corey Gordon and saxophonist Nathanial Young, who performed Wayne Shorter’s classic “Yes Or No” and an original jazz composition by Turner.
Sponsored by local businesses Benning Violins, Bertrand’s Music, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Coral Cafe, Ralphs, Handy Market, World Empanadas, Romancing the Bean, Island’s and Yogurtland, the performance was expected to raise more than $1,000.
“We are so grateful to these young artists who volunteer their time to help keep music in our schools,” said Victoria Lanier, executive director of Education Through Music-Los Angeles. “It’s inspiring to see teenagers like Maya and Eyén take the initiative to give back to their community and to be role models for other children.”
Along with support from the student performers, the concert was also made possible by the work of staff members at Education Through Music-Los Angeles, as well as volunteers, parents, faculty members from local schools and supporters, including Haya Farooq, Lisa Paredes, Madeline and Riley Hornbeck, Diego Mejia, Rogelio Raya, Emmet Brown, Ara and Jewel Easter, Christopher Rivera, Erik Garcia, Jonathan Long, Jen Culbertson, Liz Costella, Anthonia Ibrahim, Libby George, McKenna Middleton, Katie Boone, Ann Carrick, Carolyn Lessley and Esther Trigueros.
Education Through Music-Los Angeles is a Burbank-based nonprofit that provides music education programs at 25 Title 1 schools throughout Los Angeles County, including programs at McKinley, Providencia and George Washington elementary schools in Burbank. It provides quality, year-long, in-school music instruction in disadvantaged schools in L.A. County as part of the core curriculum for every child.
Since its founding in 2006, the organization has grown to serve more than 2,000 students at 25 partner schools.
For more information, visit etmla.org.
DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
